Heavy Rainfall Hits Metro, Causes More Flooding

KSTP meteorologists have been tracking strong storms across the Twin Cities metro Saturday afternoon and evening.

The main problem the storms have brought was heavy rain, according to KSTP Meteorologist Jonathan Yuhas.

A flood warning was issued for eastern Anoka, southeastern Hennepin, northwest Dakota and Washington, Ramsey and Chisago counties until 11:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Runoff from the rains lead to spot flooding east of Interstate 35W, Jonathan says.

Lake Minnetonka, Minnehaha Creek, the Minnesota River, and the Mississippi River are expected to be impacted by rains, Jonathan says. There could be additional mud slides along West River Road. And a rising Minnehaha Creek could cause problems quickly.

The northwest and central area of the metro were seeing strong winds, Yuhas says. This is a very populated area in the metro and damaging winds could be harmful.

The northwest metro had the highest damaging wind potential, Jonathan says. The central part of the metro, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, were seeing torrential rains.

Ponding of water on roads was already reported in Minneapolis with the first round of storms, according to the National Weather Service.

A cluster of thunder storms also was moving through the southwest metro, affecting Lakeville and surrounding cities, Jonathan says. A rain gauge a mile east of Farmington recorded 1.68 inches of rainfall in one hour.

Most of the active weather passed through the Twin Cities from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. As storms were moving out of the area, they were expected to weaken, Jonathan says.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH was in effect for 33 Minnesota counties, including more of the Twin Cities on Saturday afternoon and evening. It was reduced to Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue and Washington Counties by 7:45 p.m.